News of his health had stirred
speculation about who would succeed the octogenarian whose investment
enterprise owns firms in sectors such as manufacturing, utilities,
insurance and newspapers.

But in a statement to reassure
investors his health was good enough to stay on as chief executive, he
said: "I've been told by my doctors that my condition is not remotely
life-threatening or even debilitating in any meaningful way."

With
radiation complete, Buffett said he will be feeling the side effects of
the treatment in the next few weeks, but that he is glad to be
finished.